Where were you when you heard Kennedy had been assasinated? It is a question that resonates strongly with those of a certain generation. The news of the American Presidents assassination shook the world. Today marks the 50th anniversary of that fateful day in Dallas Texas in 1963 when the world watched in horror as the beloved president was viciously and mercilessly gunned down in the car he was travelling in drove up Dealey Plaza. As the president’s motorcade drove up the street at around 12:30 local time gunshots rang out across the plaza. The bullets struck the president in the head and neck. Half an hour later, Kennedy was pronounced dead at a Dallas hospital.

Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and convicted of the presidents murder but to this day conspiracy theories surround his death with many believing that Oswald was not the only gunman to fire the shots. The historic events of that fateful Friday afternoon in November 1963 plunged the United States and most of the world into mourning, and nearly everyone who was alive at the time can still vividly recall where they were when they heard the news.

The news hit many people hard here in Ireland also. It was a world before the internet and social media, however the news of Kennedy’s murder spread like wildfire throughout the country. It was like a tornado of grief and emotion had enveloped the country. Kennedy had only visited Ireland five months prior to his death and because of his Irish heritage was adored by the people of Ireland One newspaper at the time reported: “Numbed with shock and horror of the dreadful assassination of Kennedy, the Irish nation mourned last night. Grief-stricken thousands in cities, towns and villages left their homes to gather in churches to pray.”

Many cities across the U.S will today hold ceremonies to commemorate John F. Kennedy’s short life and his achievements during his Presidency. It is sure to be a sombre occasion as many across the world remember that fateful day in Dallas Texas on November 22nd 1963.